Jennylyn Mercado and Xian Lim paired with each other for the first time in GMA-7's newest prime-time drama series Love. Die. Repeat.
Directed by Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Irene Villamor, one of the interesting elements in the series is the use of time loop to show how Jennylyn's character goes through heartbreak over and over again as she witnesses the tragic car accident of her husband Xian.
While the trailer showed a lot of intense and heavy drama scenes on cam, Jennylyn told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that there were times when she and Xian encountered bloopers off cam.
"Oo, meron!" Jennylyn exclaimed when PEP.ph asked her to share some funny moments with Xian while shooting Love. Die. Repeat.
Then she turned to Xian to ask for permission if she can share the story at the presscon proper of the show.
"Okay lang ba? Baka ma-offend ka," said Jennylyn, who at that moment was already starting to laugh.
She continued, "Napanood niyo yung eksena na nasa morgue si Xian?
"Si Xian topless [pero naka-cover ng kumot]. Tapos iiyakan ko siya. Hindi ko alam na may kiliti siya.
"Yung patay, sinisiko ako!"
Laughing, Xian interjected, "Jen, sandali lang. Nahihiya ako."
Then he explained how he tried so hard to keep from laughing while pretending to be dead in that scene.
"Nakahiga lang ako. Sabi ni Direk Jerry, 'Huwag ka muna huminga, Xian! Nakikita kita! Puwede ba tumigil ka!
"Kasi ang hirap ng eksena, nagmamadali na lahat."
Describing how Jennylyn held on to his chest while mourning over his character's death, Xian elaborated, "Si Jennylyn and my mom [Shyr Valdez] are crying. Si Jen [nakahawak sa chest ko].
"Hirap na hirap ako kaya sinisiko ko na lang siya paalis. Yun yung little moments na may bloopers.
"Mahirap talaga siya na teleserye. It's really a drama. Tungkol sa pinagdadaanan ng mag-asawa at pamilya."
Xian went on to say that the bloopers behind the camera made the taping fun despite the theme of their series.
He added that they also share light moments with other co-stars like Victor Anastacio, who's also a stand-up comedian.
Agreeing with Xian, Jennylyn added, "Hindi naman puwede na mabigat na nga eksena, mabigat pa yung magkakasama.
"Siyempre after the scene, pagpag kayo. Mamaya, eksena ulit."
PEP.ph interviewed Jennylyn and Xian at the presscon of the series, held last Monday, January 8, 2023, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
JENNYLYN'S COMEBACK AFTER HIATUS
Die. Love Repeat. also marks the comeback of Jennylyn after her two-year-hiatus.
It would be recalled that she already started taping with Xian in September 2021 when she had to take a leave of absence upon learning that she and real-life sweetheart Dennis Trillo are having a baby.
Read: Love. Die. Repeat. taping na-pack up dahil sa medical emergency ni Jennylyn Mercado
Read: Love, Die, Repeat on hold dahil sa pagbubuntis ni Jennylyn Mercado
When she resumed taping in 2023, Jennylyn admittedly felt nervous about acting again.
"Para kaming nasa time loop. Pagbalik ko, yun pa rin suot ko!
"Siyempre dumaan ako sa dalawang taon na naging mommy ako ulit, nagpahinga ako.
"So, pagbalik ko, paano ko gagawin na ganun pa rin hitsura ko? Dapat yung acting ko, yung hindi ako mukhang kinakabahan. Ganun kahirap."
Jennylyn thanked her co-stars and directors for supporting her throughout her back-to-work project.
Recalling what she told her co-actors, "Kayo na ang bahala sa akin."
As it turned out, Jennylyn's co-stars attested to her prowess in handling her drama scenes.
Her best friend in the series, played by Ina Feleo, said that she was wowed with how Jennylyn acts "nang hindi nakikita yung tali, nang hindi nakikita yung technique."
Jennylyn then pointed out that she just draws motivation from her co-actor's performance.
Read: Drama King Dennis Trillo atop his mountain retreat
XIAN ON WORKING WITH JENNYLYN
Xian, for his part, was thrilled to be working with one of the most talented female stars in the country.
He elaborated: "Paulit-ulit ko sinasabi, fan po ako ni Jennylyn. Nung kabataan days ko, nakikita ko yung notebook, Jennylyn Mercado.
"Nakakatuwa lang, nung nakita ko siya, 'Ito yung pinapanood ko noon. Paano ako aarte? Nakakahiya.'
"Nagkakahiyaan pa kami... But we're really just enjoyng the moments on set na masaya lang talaga.
"Behind the drama is tawanan."
Die. Love. Repeat. will premiere on GMA Prime on January 15 at 8:50 p.m.
The program also has a delayed telecast on GTV, weeknights, at 10:50 to 11:25 p.m.